Teachers Threat To Shut Down Schools

Teachers who spoke to Radio Vop said life was more important than work.Most teachers in rural areas are being forced to buy Zanu (PF) membership cards or face punishment by the unruly party youths who are already roaming from one school to another checking if teachers are complying with their orders.

“ We shall not wait until some of us are murdered, life is more important than anything else. We saw some of us being murdered in cold blood in 2008, this time we will just close schools and go, ” said one of the teachers from Mwenezi.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou confirmed the development saying there is nothing worth dying for.He said Zanu (PF) youths are pressing a wrong button through beating and vilifying teachers.

“ They are getting it all wrong. Teachers will just close schools and go home.Our members are worried all over the province, we receive reports of our teachers being beaten every day. We shall not tolerate violence , ” said Zhou.

Teachers from Gutu said the government must show seriousness in promoting peace and development by arresting Jabulani Sibanda, the war veterans leader who is accused of causing untold suffering of teachers in the district. Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED) Clara Dube said she was waiting for a formal communication from teachers.

“ Their threat is not formal. We will wait and see if they really mean it but I think some overzealous unionists are trying to incite teachers to stop their work over unsubstantiated claims, ” she told Radio Vop.

Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Lovemore Mufamba said his union was doing a survey to find out whether teachers were in real danger.